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Board assigns elections supervisor salary

Long County Commission

The Long County Commission used its recent August meeting to tie up several loose ends and address a few business items.

The commission amended a motion from its July meeting regarding the hiring of Melonie Hughes, who was hired last month as the county’s new elections supervisor.

The commission assigned Hughes a $26,000 annual salary, and all other benefits will transfer with her from her previous position in the tax commissioner’s office. Hughes is required to attain her certification for the position within 90 days, according to the commission, and she will be on probation for 90 days after that.

The measure passed with commissioners Wallace Shaw and Andy Fuller in favor, while David Richardson, Commission Chairman Bobby Walker and Clifton DeLoach abstained. DeLoach and Walker abstained because they are related to Hughes.

The commission also moved county employees Lindsey Middleton and Amy DeLoach from part-time to full-time. Middleton is a clerk in the elections and registration office, and DeLoach is a clerk in the superior court clerk’s office.

Regarding a separate hiring issue, Dwight Gordon asked the commission whether all county jobs and board appointments were being advertised. Walker said they usually are not, because constitutional officers are not required to advertise.

Walker also said emergency responders still are having problems responding to emergency calls because of missing or broken road signs. The commission decided to ask anyone who notices a missing or broken sign to call the courthouse to report it.

Commissioners also emphasized the importance of residents properly addressing their homes so emergency responders can easily locate homes. Markers for addressing homes can be purchased at the county code enforcement office in the courthouse.

In other business:

• Commissioner David Richardson reported that the E-911 Center in McIntosh County is in need of emergency dispatchers. Any interested Long County residents should submit an application.

• Commissioners unanimously approved $12,750 for the county’s Department of Family and Children’s Services annual budget.

• EMS Director Robin Todd reported to the commission that a grant had been approved for a patient-tracking device.